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The Definitive Guide On How To Dry Skin Brush

February 16, 2017 By: Jessie Maguire 101

Dry skin brushing, AKA garshana, dry exfoliation or simply “skin brushing”, is one of the most invigorating, feel-good natural health practices out there.

Here is everything you need to know, from the dangers and countless benefits to finding a brush for your skin type.

WHAT IS DRY SKIN BRUSHING?

Dry brushing is simply running the firm bristles of a natural brush across your skin when the body (and brush) is dry. It’s a technique that has been used by every known civilization throughout history, including Ayurvedic health practitioners, who call is garshana.

Dry skin brushing is also an alternative form of exfoliation that has so many more benefits than regular exfoliation methods, that hoards of men (yes!) and women have been flinging their exfoliation mitts, gloves, pads, scrubs, salts, creams, sugars, peels and lotions into the donation or recycling bucket for years now, in favor of an increasingly firm skin brush.

THE BENEFITS:

The benefits of skin brushing could almost fill a whole book, but here are the key benefits you need to know. Skin brushing:

The regular brush—which may look a lot like something you would polish your shoes with—is a great all-round brush. However, it’s not going to be easy to brush you back with one of these.

Generally speaking, gloves and pads are easier to handle, but we would say that they are generally not as effective, and may feel a lot softer on the skin as a result.

Brushes with handles provide easy handling. You can also brush your back with them: a large area you won’t want to miss. You don’t even need a very long handle to reach your whole back, if you’re shoulders are pretty flexible.

THE BEST DRY BRUSH FOR DRY SKIN

The best brush for dry skin is probably a natural, soft one, especially if your skin is also sensitive. Work up to a firmer brush once you feel that you’d like to.

Another great trick for dry skin is brushing with coconut oil. Apply coconut oil before you brush, then follow your normal brushing routine. Finish with a shower, and use just a little soap or shower gel under the arms or not at all to keep your dry skin hydrated.

THE BEST DRY BRUSH FOR OILY SKIN

Oily skin can often handle a firmer natural bristle brush. Go easy on pimples, though. Apart from that, brushing is wonderful for oily skin, balancing the sweat and oil glands to perfection.

You could also get a facial brush to improve the glow and texture of your visage and ward off pimples and shininess.

THE BEST DRY BRUSH FOR NORMAL AND COMBINATION SKIN

Facial brushes are also wonderful for combination skin. Consider brushing the oiler T zone a little more often than the rest of your face to balance the whole area.

Normal skin may not need careful extra care, so brush to your delight for maintenance and detox (inner beauty).

DRY BRUSHING AND CELLULITE

Many pros claim that dry skin brushing can smooth out cellulite. But how does that work?

Annet King of Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute says that skin brushing helps remove the “stagnant toxins” that break down the connective tissue and lead to cellulite.1

The Huffington Post also reported that when they tested 12 home remedies to get rid of cellulite, dry skin brushing was “the most effective way to get rid of cellulite.2

CAN YOU DRY BRUSH YOUR FACE?

Yes! But not with your regular body brush—it’s probably way too firm for your delicate facial skin (unless you have a super soft brush, which is probably not very effective for your body!).

Snatch up a facial dry skin brush online or at your local natural health and beauty store. They’re easy to spot—they’re little—but if you can’t find one and have a new, soft toothbrush handy, you can use that.

Once you have your hands on a facial brush, do stroke up and out towards the hairline, avoiding the eyes. Do circles around the eyes and cheeks, making outward stokes on the upward movements and inward strokes on the downward movements. Brush for one minute and you’ll be done.

HOW TO DRY BRUSH THE SMART WAY

Here’s your dry brushing step-by-step, laden with tips.

Step 1. Take off your clothes and jewelry

This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget to take certain things off! Any underwear and jewelry you do have on will only reduce the overall benefit.

Step 2. Get yourself into the shower area

This step simply means you do less cleaning later! Skin cells will be flying off your skin, but this way, they are washed away quickly and won’t make your bathroom dusty.

If you take showers at night, be aware that skin brushing will wake you up and give you energy, so do it several hours before you go to sleep.

Step 3. Start brushing

It’s important to start at your feet and work towards your heart with every stroke, so you’re working in harmony with your lymphatic system (and not against it).

Start taking Astaxanthin. According to Dr. Mercola, it offers effective protection against sun damage when taken as a daily supplement.

Clean your dry brushes once a month at least, by soaking it for half an hour in warm water with one tablespoon of baking soda added to it, or washing it with an unscented, liquid castile soap.

FUN DRY BRUSHING FACTS

The Chinese have been using “silk squash” or “Chinese okra” fiber to dry brush their skin and treat obesity for thousands of years.

Ancient Greek athletes scraped their skin with a metal implement called a “strigil” after exercise to maintain higher levels of hygiene.

Back in the 1800s, the health benefits of dry brushing were stated with great enthusiasm. In a magazine from 1889, it says: “Friction, with flannel or with a flesh-brush, applied for half an hour every morning will strengthen the stomach and organs connected therewith more than moderate exercise for a whole day.”

The Cherokee Indians used clean, dry corn cobs to keep their skin attractive and healthy.